ServiceMaster of Rochester for hoarding cleanup services. Knowing when you or a loved one needs help with hoarding cleanup can be difficult to determine. Consider the following when addressing a hoarding situation:
- Ask the hoarder if the item(s) bring them joy. Do they truly enjoy these items or are they even able to enjoy them? If the item has been buried in a pile, they probably can’t enjoy it. Hoarding cleanup can help the hoarder to sift through their belongings and organize their home so they can actually enjoy the items they have.
- Need vs. want. There’s a difference between needing and wanting an item. When determining what to keep and what to get rid of, ask the hoarder if they need the item or simply want it. Help them define what ‘need’ really is to prevent them from rationalizing keeping unnecessary items.
- Understand the reasoning behind hoarding. Unless you struggle with hoarding, it’s difficult to understand. How hard is it to just get rid of things? Hoarders have often experienced trauma or emotional struggles and use hoarding as a way of coping. Hoarding disorder is a legitimate mental health issue and the hoarder should seek help from a professional to address the underlying issues of the hoarding behavior. The more you, as a supporter, understand, the more help you’ll be able to offer.
- Check the structure and health of the home. Hoarding isn’t always just a matter of clutter; the structure and health of the home itself can be affected. Whether piles of items are putting stress on the structure, it has come into disrepair, or there’s excess waste, it’s important to check whether or not the home is safe to inhabit. If not, the resident's health and safety are at risk. Also, the city could condemn the home unless it is brought up to code.
- Don’t begin hoarding cleanup without permission. If the hoarder doesn’t consent to hoard cleanup, don’t force it on them as it can create a traumatic experience which only worsens the behavior. Communicate with the hoarder to try and express the need for cleanup and ensure that communication is continuous throughout the cleanup process, otherwise, things can spiral out of control.
If you or someone you know struggles with hoarding and is ready for hoarding cleanup, contact the compassionate professionals at ServiceMaster of Rochester. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff understand that hoarding cleanup can be difficult, and we’ll do everything we can to make the process as stress-free as possible. For more information or to schedule your cleanup in Stewartville, MN, contact us at
(507) 204-3820 today or visit us
here.
